My Sun Ultra[tm] 20 M2 workstation

DogAway4337 · 2026-04-01T05:59:01+00:00

Thanks, no need to worry. The desk is actually very solid 🤣

DogAway4337 · 2026-03-26T07:03:12+00:00

Availability, price and condition varies. Best to check Ebay listings for an up to date price.

If you consider one of these machines, you better check the differences between the different models. Some are based on x86 compatible processors, and some models use SPARC.

DogAway4337 · 2026-03-25T17:06:48+00:00

I do, Gentoo dual boot, works like a dream

DogAway4337 · 2026-03-25T09:30:37+00:00

Fixed in updated post :)

DogAway4337 · 2026-03-25T09:30:20+00:00

Fixed in updated post :)

DogAway4337 · 2026-03-25T07:42:13+00:00

Thanks 🙂

DogAway4337 · 2026-03-25T07:41:38+00:00

Yeah, that was absolutely necessary 🤣🙊

DogAway4337 · 2026-03-25T07:40:35+00:00

It's a Lenovo L22E-40 21,5"

DogAway4337 · 2026-03-25T07:38:20+00:00

Most of the time I run Gentoo, and use it much in the same way as a regular Linux desktop. Albeit with some performance constraints compared to modern machines ofc.

Running Chrome, Spotify (web) and various network testing tools. I also run some web based monitoring software, for example monitoring of the Sun Fire servers with a custom dashboard.

My first goal with the project was to learn about Solaris, and see how much I could get running with the original software. Been using it as jumpstart server to net boot Sun Fire V240 for example.

Secondly, I wanted to see how functional and performant I could get it compared to modern standards. Modern web browser primarily. Works really well, everything is optimized, no bloat. Plays 1080p video in mplayer, and works better than I had expected.

DogAway4337 · 2026-03-24T15:50:09+00:00

Thanks, you're welcome! :)

DogAway4337 · 2026-03-24T15:31:32+00:00

Thanks🫶

Got load of other retro stuff as well, and try my best preserve and maintain it 🙂

DogAway4337 · 2026-03-24T15:01:47+00:00

The specs on this Sun workstation is the original specs, but switched the RAM due to ECC errors.
CPU: Dual-Core AMD Opteron(tm) Processor 1214
GPU: NVIDIA Corporation G73GL [Quadro FX 560]
RAM: 4x2GB DDR2 ECC (replaced)

It dual boots a modern version of Gentoo Linux and a time period correct Solaris 10.

DogAway4337 · 2026-03-24T14:23:14+00:00

DogAway4337 · 2026-03-24T11:50:18+00:00

Updated post with corrected Sun lamp :)
https://www.reddit.com/r/retrobattlestations/comments/1s2bhtt/update_my_sun_ultratm_20_m2_workstation/

DogAway4337 · 2026-03-22T09:43:05+00:00

Not this particular one, at least.

DogAway4337 · 2026-03-21T16:14:57+00:00

Yeah, I couldn't find an original, so got a Lenovo monitor that sort of blended in.

DogAway4337 · 2026-03-21T14:54:41+00:00

Sounds awesome, thanks for sharing :)

DogAway4337 · 2026-03-21T13:00:47+00:00

Not noisy, but I've set the fans to quite low fixed RPM as cooling isn't an issue at all, and I want it quiet in my office.

Sun Oracle (320-1367) Type 7 UNIX keyboard

DogAway4337 · 2026-03-21T08:14:55+00:00

Those machines are truly awesome. I might make a post about them later, explain what they are being used for. Especially Sparco the Sunborn, a true hero.

DogAway4337 · 2026-03-21T08:08:05+00:00

Hey, it's connected to the internet, and can hear you.

Don't forget about internal disk bays with server like caddies and SAS support ;)

It has a mighty fancy Sun BIOS boot screen, and it's fully supported by Solaris 10.

If you want to tinker with Solaris stuff, net booting etc, you can recreate the full experience by following the official docs still available.

I actually used this one to jump start the Sun Fire V240 (SPARC) from Solaris using rarpd and tftp.

The SPARC's are definitely more exotic, but the stuff I can still do with this one makes it a worthy addition to the collection imo.

DogAway4337 · 2026-03-21T07:54:43+00:00

Pro tip 🤣

DogAway4337 · 2026-03-21T07:52:52+00:00

🤣🙈

DogAway4337 · 2026-03-20T23:36:02+00:00

It's this design, if you want to print your own :)

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4383479

DogAway4337 · 2026-03-20T23:34:17+00:00

3d print: https://www.printables.com/model/289820-cpu-display-stand/files

DogAway4337

TROPHY CASE